A graveyard is a place where dead bodies are buried. Sailors used to call their shift from midnight to 4:00 AM the graveyard watch.
Many people use the words graveyard and cemetery interchangeably. However, the difference is that graveyards are usually located on church grounds or a part of the church yard while cemeteries are separate.
Etymology
Despite their seemingly negative connotations, graveyards can also be beautiful places. They provide a tranquil environment where you can spend time reflecting on the life of a loved one who has passed away.
The word graveyard comes from the Greek word koimeterion, which means “sleeping place.” From the 7th century until the early 19th century, churchyards were the primary resting place of the dead. At that time, rich congregants were buried in crypts within the church while lesser-wealthy ones were interred on the grounds of the church known as a graveyard.
Today, the terms cemetery and graveyard are used interchangeably as they both describe burial sites. However, graveyards are usually on church property and are reserved for Christians whereas cemeteries are independent sites that do not require you to be a church member to be buried there.
Due to their mysterious aura, many people believe that graveyards are haunted and are a haven for evil spirits, devil worshipping, grave-robbing, thrilling sex encounters, or other clandestine activities. However, most of these legends are based on superstition and not fact.
Meaning
When someone works late into the night, you might say they are pulling a graveyard shift. But what does this spooky term mean? And where does it come from?
During the Middle Ages, the church had a monopoly on burials. Rich congregants were interred in crypts, while less wealthy members of the congregation were buried on the church grounds in an area known as the graveyard.
As populations grew, the capacity of church-owned graveyards began to become overcrowded. As a result, independent places for burials sprung up that were not on church property. These new sites became known as cemeteries.
While it is still common to use the words graveyard and cemetery interchangeably, there is a subtle difference in meaning between the two terms. Graveyard is an older term that refers to a burial ground within a church yard, while cemetery is a more modern word that references sites that are not affiliated with any place of worship.
Context
Graveyards have the power to shape culture and history through their stories. The way they are used and the way we think about them tells us a lot about our society. They can show us things like how people live and die, religious beliefs, the importance of burial and remembrance, and the use of symbols.
The term cemetery comes from the Greek koimeterion, meaning “sleeping place.” It refers to land that is specifically designed for burial. It can include a grave or tomb, mausoleum, columbarium, or niche. It can also include any large park or burial ground that is dedicated to the dead.
Often, graveyards are full and have no space for new burials. As a result, families have to fight to get a grave site in the churchyard or another graveyard nearby. This can lead to conflict, e.g., over who gets to act as guardian of the graveyard. The conflict can also affect the quality of the graveyard.
Variations
Although the terms graveyard and cemetery are often used interchangeably, there is some difference between the two. A graveyard is usually a small area of land, often adjacent to a church or similar structure, where the bodies of the dead are buried. A cemetery is a larger area, often with multiple graves and a variety of burial options.
The Graveyard is a good card to use against buildings that spawn units like a Furnace or Elixir Collector, as the Skeletons spawn over an extended period of time and are difficult to defend. However, the Graveyard is a weak counter to other units that deal high amounts of damage per second, such as Guards or P.E.K.K.A, and it is also susceptible to area damage spells such as Arrows or Freeze.
A Skeleton Army or Goblin Gang are both strong counters to the Graveyard, as they can quickly react to the spawned units and destroy them before they have a chance to do any damage. The Poison is another effective counter, as it covers the entire area where the Skeletons spawn and can one-shot them easily.